“You are not my mother! I don’t want to hear any more filthy words from that mouth of yours! Give me my money, and I’ll be on my way! I have better things to do!” Roberto yelled at Adelina, his hands were shaking, and he tried forcing back the tears that threatened to roll out of his eyes. “Roberto, if you want your money, I have your money ready. I just want you to know the truth before you leave.” She walked back to her desk and opened her drawer. Roberto kept his gun pointed to her, Incase she wanted to act funny.
Adelina pulled out an album from the drawer and stretched it to Roberto. “After looking at this pictures, you will be able to decide if you still want to kill me or know the true story about your biological mother.” Roberto narrowed his gaze at her, and then at the album. He wasn’t sure what he wanted, but he sure didn’t want to let this opportunity go. He needed to know the whole truth. “Drop it on the table,” He waved his gun, pointing at the table. She bobbed and placed the album on the table. “Step back and raise your hands,” Roberto added, and Adelina sighed. She raised her hand and moved back until she got to the window.
When Roberto was sure she wasn’t going to do anything stupid, he walked to the table, still pointing the gun at her. He picked up the album and moved back. He placed it on the chair he sat and started opening it. On the first page, he saw his Father, Giovanni next to a familiar woman. He looked at Adelina and saw it was the younger version of her. His father also looked younger in the picture. “When did you take this?” He asked, staring at the picture. “On Easter Sunday. Your grandfather, Mr. Eduardo Galante and your grandmother, Kris Galante left the house for a party. Giovanni and I, one of the maids in the house, had the opportunity to be together. He had a camera at that time, and we took so many pictures that day.”
Roberto closed the album all of a sudden and looked at her. “Then what happened? Why did he tell me you were dead?” Roberto asked, clenching his jaw. “He said that to you because he sent me away after I gave birth to you. Maybe he didn’t want you to hate me for leaving, or just didn’t want to talk about me.” “We had sex on several occasions, and one day, I found out I was carrying his child. I told him, and he got so angry. He said how would he tell everyone he impregnated a maid? He asked me to abort the pregnancy, but I refused. I ran to my grandparent's house in the village for months, and before I put to bed, he came to visit me. He apologized for yelling at me and told me he was going to accept the baby,” She said and paused.
“Since he accepted, why did you still leave?” Roberto asked, paying rapt attention to all that she was saying. “He told me his father was after my life. That he had to send me off to protect me. That is how I got the $500M you are here to collect now. He promised that he was going to take care of you, and he would bring you to visit me on several occasions. I was so stupid to believe him, and so I fled after your one-year birthday. Since then, your father cut all connections and ways I could get to speak with him, until I heard the news that he died of cancer.”
Roberto gulped hard after listening to Adelina’s story. He didn’t know what to say to her anymore, and he was sure he wasn’t ready to accept her just like that. “And why didn’t you show up for his burial? My grandparents were already dead by then, no one was after your life. Why didn’t you show yourself to me?” “I was there, Roberto. I saw you, but I couldn’t face you. I recognized you immediately I saw you because I’m your mother. It was easy for me to know it was you. I didn’t want to face you because it wasn’t the right time. You were broken and you wouldn’t be able to take it if I started telling you all these then. You had grown so much like him, and I feared you would ask for my head,” She responded, and he scoffed.
“And how sure are you that I won’t do the same thing now, hun?” He asked, and she smiled, shaking her head. “If you wanted to kill me,Roberto, you would have done it. You are not as deadly as I thought you were. I thought you resembled your father in every way, but I can see you have a softer heart, compared to his,” She uttered, and he heaved a sigh. He picked up the album and tossed it to where she stood. “Show me my baby picture. The one you took with my father.” Adelina looked at him and shook her head. “You don’t still believe me, so you?” She picked up the album and began to open it. She found the picture she was looking for and showed it to him.
“This was the last time I saw you,” She said as Roberto stared at the picture. He saw his father, a baby picture of him, and Adelina. The baby picture looked like one he had in his house at Italy, so he knew she wasn’t lying. After staring at it to his satisfaction, he closed the book and looked at her. “You said you have my money ready, right? Give it to me. I need to be on my way now.” He kept pointing his gun at her. She bounced her head slowly and reached for the large bag that was under the table. She lifted the bag and placed it on the desk. She unzipped it and picked a bundle of the dollar notes with one hand, while the other was still in the air.
“You can count it if you want but your money is complete. I won’t be needing any money from your father anymore. I am an independent woman now.” She shifted the bag to the other side of the table where he stood, and he grabbed it. If it isn’t complete, I’ll find you and collect the rest.” “You won’t have to find me. I’m not going anywhere anymore. You know the truth already.” She smiled, and he exhaled. He lifted the bag and pointed the gun at the door. “Lead the way,” He said, and she started leading the way.
As they walked to the living room, his gun was pointed to her head from behind. Greco sighted Roberto carrying the bag and he rushed to him to collect it. “Lower your guns!” Adelina ordered all her man, and her reluctantly lowered their guns. “Take it to the car and start counting,” Roberto ordered Greco, and he bobbed. He rushed out of the house, while Adelina kept walking to the main door. They got outside the main door, and Roberto’s men had their guns still held up.
“Thank you for your co-operation,” Roberto said to her and lowered his gun. “When will you visit again?” Adelina asked, and he scoffed. “I have no reason to visit you anymore. I…” “Mr. Roberto! Martina is gone! Vincenzo and Bruno are also nowhere to be found!” Greco yelled as he ran into the compound. “What?” Roberto’s eyes widened, and he looked at Adelina. She also had a confused look on her face. “So this is your plan too, hun? Where is she?” He grabbed her by the neck, and her men pointed their guns at him. “I said you all should lower your guns!” She groaned, and they did exactly what she said. “I have no idea about what you are saying, Roberto. We were both inside, if my men did anything, your men outside would have figured it out. And who are you even talking about? Who is Martina?” She asked, and Roberto clenched his jaw.
“I owe you no explanation. I would have to keep you in my custody until I find out where she is! Incase you didn’t know before, I’ll make you understand now. When it comes to Martina, I’ll kill anyone! Including my Mother!” He uttered within gritted teeth.